Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers Blog: Why Matvei Michkov Needs More Ice Time
Matvei Michkov and his ice time have been quite the polarizing story following the Philadelphia Flyers this season. Following his breakout rookie season, where he averaged over 16 minutes per game, Michkov has been averaging 14:34 per game, which is eighth among Flyers active forwards. Given his steady third-line role, that number adds up.
However, following a rookie season where Michkov led the team in goals with 26 and had 63 total points, an increase in responsibility was expected, not a decrease.
It’s no secret that Michkov and head coach Rick Tocchet have not seen eye to eye on some things. Tocchet is more of a north-to-south coach, whereas Michkov thrives in an east-to-west playing style. Tocchet emphasizes being responsible and doing the little things as a foundation for player development. Michkov is more of an offensive dynamo.
Often, defensive situations have shortened Michkov’s minutes. Especially early in the season, a large number of penalty-kill situations shortened his ice time as well.
And of course, by now it’s been well documented that Matvei Michkov came into camp out of shape. There has been no hiding that.
I have not fully addressed his ice time this season because for most of it, the team was in a playoff spot. If Michkov was getting a minute or so less than ideal in average ice time, what’s the big deal? Or, if he only skates 11 minutes one game, but 15 the next – no harm, no foul, right? If things were going well, why question the method?
Well, now it does not look playoffs are likely. The team needs a spark regardless. So, when the team comes out of the break, it’s time for Matvei Michkov to get more ice time.
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Why Matvei Michkov needs more ice time
At this point, the Flyers need to come out of the gate red hot, starting the final 26-game stretch if they want to make the playoffs. Part of that will be finding more goals. During the 15-game stretch before the Olympic break, the Flyers scored 4 or more goals just three times. They scored 1 or fewer four times in that stretch.
Moral of the story? If they want to come out strong, they HAVE to find more ways to score. A way to do that is to let Matvei Michkov be who he is.
Even if the Flyers are out of the playoffs, that is still the perfect time to give Michkov a minutes boost.
To clarify, I am not suggesting that he go out and run free on the ice. Every player, Michkov included, needs discipline, structure, and a sense of responsibility on the ice. However, you can absolutely give him more ice time and a longer leash, giving him the opportunity to do the things that make him special.
Sure, Michkov has not been the same player he was last year. Showing up behind the 8-ball in his conditioning certainly did not help. Yes, he is a left shot, but he did not often play the left wing. He is a right-winger by trade, so he’s spent a good chunk of the season playing a “new” position. Though, for what it’s worth, once established in the zone, he moves around pretty freely.
Year 2 is very much still a developmental year. In fact, the next two might as well be. This is the time for Michkov to make mistakes, learn from them, but also grow his game. The best way to do that is in-game, and playing more than 14 minutes a night is probably a good start.
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There are Flyers Front Office aspects, too
The argument for Michkov’s ice time extends beyond on-ice factors. There are management aspects to it as well.
Michkov is a player that, when Philly reaches out to inquire about Quinn Hughes-like players, teams will immediately ask for. The Flyers, rightfully so, have shown no interest in moving Michkov. GM Danny Briere has even said point-blank, “Matvei Michkov is not going anywhere.”
That is because Michkov is seen as the organization’s future.
The Flyers’ future is expected to be built around Michkov and Porter Martone. So, the Flyers should figure out exactly what they have in Michkov and make sure they build the team with the right complementary pieces around him, right?
What’s the best way to figure out what they have? Play him! Test him! See exactly what the 21-year-old star can do.
If he does not go through these trials, you run the risk of building everything around the player blindly. If things don’t work out, that could be even more detrimental to the rebuild. There are still plenty of what-if scenarios to throw around. The best way to avoid them is to play Michkov and make sure you know how to build the team around him.
He is also eligible for an extension as early as this coming offseason. As a player whose value has not been kept a secret, it would not be surprising to hear that an extension is talked about this offseason. It will be his first extension, so it likely won’t take him past RFA status. But it’s not abnormal to see long deals given to future franchise cornerstones.
Michkov needs more ice time for the Flyers, plain and simple
There is a time and a place for everything. If the team was still in playoff contention, sure, I could see a world where the trend continues and shifts are limited, with defensive responsibility in mind.
However, this team is not in the same position they were in when January started. Now, the Flyers have just 5 games before the trade deadline and 26 games to find a way to close the 8-point gap to a playoff spot.
If not for the reasons above, do it for the entertainment.
Let’s face it, this team is headed towards the wrong side of team history, missing the playoffs for a franchise-worst sixth-straight season. If there were ever a time to give Michkov a longer leash, it’s now. With 26 games left in an uphill battle for a playoff spot, the main focus should become development and evaluation. Letting the future franchise cornerstone grow into that role will not only benefit the team’s rebuild, but it may just be one of the remaining reasons for fans to tune in.
There are plenty of reasons on both sides of the ice-time argument. However, this writer believes Matvei Michkov needs more ice time.
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If Michkov never learns to play hockey in all facets of the game, he will never be a winning player.More ice time is not the answer unless he is working to improve his game.
That’s the whole concept! Give him the time to play through it all. His time was cut because the team was gunning for a playoff spot. Put the best chance to win out there. Now that the postseason looks like a far cry, give him the time to play through it, make mistakes, learn, and get better.
So you give a player more time even if he doesn’t deserve it. What message does that send to the rest of the team. When he shows signs of correcting his mistakes he should get more playing time.
On a cup contender I absolutely agree. That’s just not what this team is right now.
Jamie Drysdale was given leash and look how he’s developed this season. Travis Konecny has been through it. He’s not the only one. Let the kid make mistakes, coach him through it, have him learn from the experience , and get better through the process. Thats what the developmental years should be about.
I honestly don’t find Tocchet to be much different than Tortorella other than he’s more stoic behind the bench. He gives veterans a longer leash and doesn’t seem to hold them as accountable for the same mistakes. Roles out the same groups in OT even though they lost 8 straight. Meanwhile, Michkov makes one mistake and his ice time is cut. Just more of the same.
Tocchet doesn’t want Michkov leaving “the zone” too soon because the defense turns the puck over, then they wonder why Michkov doesn’t have as many goals this year.